Did you know that Akkineni Naga Chaitanya had a chance to star in 'Kotha Bangaru Lokam' before 'Josh'?

Naga Chaitanya, scion of the illustrious Akkineni family, embarked on his Tollywood journey in 2009 with the movie 'Josh,' produced by the renowned Dil Raju. Although this youthful entertainer carried high expectations, it fell short of pleasing the audience. However, what many might not know is that Naga Chaitanya's debut could have been entirely different if not for certain decisions made in the industry.
Before 'Josh,' Naga Chaitanya had a chance to appear in the highly successful film 'Kotha Bangaru Lokam.' However, fate had other plans, and he missed this golden opportunity. Srikanth Addala, the director of 'Kotha Bangaru Lokam,' recently shed light on this fascinating piece of Tollywood history during the promotions of his latest film, 'Peddha Kapu 1.''
Srikanth Addala revealed that he initially considered Naga Chaitanya for the lead role in 'Kotha Bangaru Lokam,' even before Varun Sandesh. Knowing that Nagarjuna was eager to introduce Naga Chaitanya as a hero, Srikanth Addala approached the senior actor through Dil Raju with the script of 'Kotha Bangaru Lokam.' However, Nagarjuna turned down the project, believing it was not the right fit for his son.
Undeterred by the setback, Srikanth Addala then approached Ram, another popular actor in Tollywood, with the same script. Unfortunately, Ram also declined the offer to play the role of an intermediate student, which was central to the film's plot.
Fate had its own way of guiding Naga Chaitanya's career. Srikanth Addala, having seen Varun Sandesh's performance in the film 'Happy Days,' recognized his potential and cast him as the lead in 'Kotha Bangaru Lokam.' This decision turned out to be a game-changer for both Varun Sandesh and Naga Chaitanya.
Varun Sandesh went on to achieve commercial success with the film, cementing his place in the industry. Meanwhile, Naga Chaitanya's destiny was waiting to unfold in a different direction.
Srikanth Addala's journey as a director began with 'Kotha Bangaru Lokam,' a film made on a limited budget. The movie garnered critical acclaim and even won two prestigious Nandi Awards. Subsequently, he directed films like 'Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu,' 'Brahmotsavam,' and 'Narappa,' contributing to the rich tapestry of Telugu cinema.
After a hiatus of nearly two years, Srikanth Addala made his comeback to Telugu cinema with 'Peddha Kapu 1,' showcasing his enduring talent and storytelling prowess.